This is a small-class passenger car with rear-wheel drive. The car became anti-crisis and allowed the plant to work in difficult economic conditions. Also, the IL-2126 machine is considered one of the most budgetary solutions on the market of used "iron horses".
Historical facts
In the seventies at the IzhAvto plant, specialists were busy developing a new model of the front-wheel drive Moskvich. As part of this project, engineers were able to develop an experimental IL-13. But due to the fact that the front-wheel-drive car market was seized by AvtoVAZ, the creation work had to be stopped. There was a clear lack of attention to the project from the government and the ministry, and there was no funding.
Then the design department of the plant began working on a new model.
It was planned on an existing aggregate base. Due to the fact that at that time it was not possible to develop a unique front-wheel drive engine, technical designers decided to equip the car with
rear-wheel drive with modern suspension systems. A new body was also developed, which took into account aerodynamics.
Rear-wheel drive is the key to success
The car, according to the creators, was supposed to surpass the front-wheel drive models existing on the market. Engineers were able to significantly reduce the weight of individual components and components. For example, the use of aluminum instead of steel in parts such as the gearbox housing, the rear axle gear housing , was supposed to equalize the weight of the IL-2126 and front-wheel drive VAZs with the same dimensions.
Such a scheme has some advantages over traditional solutions - it is a better weight distribution of mechanisms, convenient access to them for repair or maintenance.
As a result, a new rear-wheel drive hatchback was born with parts and mechanisms from the past, including modified cars. They planned to get a unique model at the plant without changing the structure of production of the main components.
Difficulties in creating a model
So, in 1979 the first prototypes saw the light. The appearance of the prototype IZH-2126 looked very modern and new. This is the first project in the history of the Soviet automobile industry where computer simulation was used for calculations. The body was investigated in a wind tunnel.
I must say that the first batch did not pass - as a result of testing, many different flaws were discovered.
They handed over the project about five more times. But engineering miscalculations did not make it possible to launch the model in a series.
Close to the final version finalized in France, at the Renault concern. French professionals have made changes to the body, as well as finalized the design of headlights, bumpers and interior elements.
After that, the project was approved. He received the index "05" and was put into production. This happened in 1984. Model IZH-2126 passed all the necessary tests, and the government issued permission to launch the series.
Not everything is so rosy ...
About seven years have passed from a production permit to real work. The fault was the slightly protracted development and construction of an automatic conveyor. In 1992, at the height of the crisis, when it was possible to start producing cars, the intake was again interrupted. The plant failed to establish contacts with suppliers of necessary spare parts and assemblies. Only a few thousand copies were delivered. They differed in rather mediocre build quality. And consumers, after the model was released, simply did not notice it, although the characteristics of the IZH-2126 were quite high.
Due to all the obstacles at the moment when production was finally launched, the model turned out to be substantially technically and morally outdated against the background of foreign cars delivered from abroad.
Competitors and sales
Among domestic manufacturers, the competitors were Ukrainian Tavria and classic VAZs, which IZh lost due to not too good assembly.
The car was sold until the end of 2007. Then, new EURO-2 standards were introduced, and the Izhevsk plant could not create engines that could pass such certification.
If the plant had created or acquired ready-made injection systems, this would have led to the fact that the price of the IL-2126 automobile would have exorbitantly increased, and sales would have fallen. The management decided to remove the machine from the conveyor. Now it is sold for 500-1000 dollars.
Paradoxes of the Izhevsk Plant
The fact is that then at these capacities the classic Lada with more archaic engines, but with a distributed injection system, was created. This allowed such units to be certified.
In 1999, the car was called nothing more than “Orbit”. But then the name was changed to "Ode."
Features of the exterior and interior
It is very interesting to dive into the history of such cars, but enough about that. It's time to talk about external data and internal.
It is somewhat reminiscent of a hodgepodge. You can get to know the IZH-2126 car better - the photo is in the article. So, the developers took the instrument panel from the 41st Moskvich. The Zhiguli of the eighth model shared the steering wheel and headlights, and then, after 10 Zhiguli, they also used the steering wheel.
In addition, the engineers tried to unify most of the parts and assemblies with other domestic machines. This was done so that it was easier to get the necessary parts (IL Oda 2126 is no exception), and in no way affected the external aesthetics. So, the large angular headlights from the VAZ model 2108 did not combine with the front of the IL. This body was originally created under the round headlights. In appearance, the body is very similar to the 41st Moskvich, but there are simply no identical parts.
Inside, everything is quite ascetic. You can see the interior of the car IL-2126. The photos presented in the article will help to get acquainted with the interior.
Doors do not close the first time, it is familiar to many owners of VAZs. The operation of the locks is much worse than on the 41st, the door trim is quite poor. As finishing materials, plastic and dermantine were used.
The dashboard is completely the same as on the Moskvich. Armchairs on IL are much more convenient. Here, the shape is better, and there are more adjustments. Many complain about the low ceiling. And why did the manufacturer leave the Lada nameplate on the steering wheel? This approach can be forgiven for those who love tuning. IZH-2126 is even more suitable for this. But it’s difficult for a serious manufacturer to forgive such an oversight.
The front panel is completely original. It is essentially faceless, made of low-quality black plastic, the assembly is also not of high quality.
Despite everything, we can safely say that designers, as well as technologists, managed to create an optimal car in terms of beauty, unpretentiousness and functionality. The interior is larger than all other models in this class. Soundproofing allows you to not hear what is happening overboard. Unified parts make it much easier for owners of IZH-2126 cars to repair.
Specifications
And what's under the hood? In a large series, the IZH-2126 car has a 1.6-liter gasoline engine from the VAZ-2106.
Also in the line were 1.7-liter UZAM 3317 and 1.8 UZAM 3313. Even in small series and experimental models, modifications were used with front-wheel or even four-wheel drive. So, we used the injection two-liter UZAM-248, Huyndai G4GM, as well as units from the VAZ-21214, 2130, 2106 and 21084.
Serial engines were carbureted, in-line, four-cylinder. Each of them was equipped with a liquid cooling system, as well as a forced lubrication system. The UMPO-331 engine, which was used in production models, had 85 liters. from. power.
Transmission system
The gearbox was completely mechanical, five-speed. Three shafts worked in it. It was equipped with synchronizers for forward gears. The clutch was a single disc dry system with a hydraulic drive. Also used gearbox from the VAZ 2107th model.
Chassis
The suspension system was implemented as an independent, spring, with a telescopic stand. Also, the suspension had a stabilizer bar. But this is the front, but the rear was a dependent lever-spring system.
As for the brakes, there were front disc brakes with a floating bracket.
Rear mounted drum brakes with one cylinder and the ability to automatically adjust.
Technical features
The most interesting features of this car are related to the following: during development, an incredible amount of time was spent to combine the comfort of a front-wheel drive with a rear-wheel drive layout. So, in order to get rid of a sufficiently large transmission tunnel, both the power unit, and the gearbox, and the universal joint with the gearbox were shifted to the right. As a result, it turned out to reduce the length of the engine compartment, thereby increasing the space in the cabin (such a "factory tuning").
IZH-2126 has a checkpoint from the 412th Moskvich. She was a bit modernized. Now this element has received five steps. The gearbox was equipped with a lever for direct gear shifting. This greatly facilitated driving.
The rear serial suspension was taken from classic VAZ models.
The front suspension is a completely original solution.
Many, if not all parts, were as much as possible unified with other domestic machines. This greatly simplified the maintenance of the car IZH-2126, repair, tuning.
Draw conclusions
Of course, this car is by no means a luxury. But she never positioned herself like that. This is a real national people's car, and it copes with this role perfectly. Of course, now there are more modern and high-quality analogues, but if you need to buy an inexpensive car that just drives, this is if not the best, then clearly a good choice. The car is repairable, and spare parts ( including Oda 2126 including) are unified with the Volga VAZ.
So, we found out what the technical characteristics, appearance and interior of the domestic Moskvich -2126 car have.